The Shibs

[arakwafan2006]

I dont know if this topic has been brought up before. The two of them seem happy to skate together however I wonder if they will split after 2014 and work with different partners. ANyone have any thoughts?

[PashaFan]

They are super talented & each look good but I really wish they would do something a little bit more out there. I find everything they do sweet but nothing more. It's so difficult when it's a sister-brother duo to push the feelings like a Virtue/Moir.

[judgejudy27]

I think they will continue skating together. I get the impression the enjoyment they get out of skating together outweighs medals, and anyway no matter what happens they will forever be World medalists, something many fine teams will never get to say. They are also young enough there could be chances of another World medal someday once alot of teams retire, although I dont think they will ever be a dominant World beating team, but I dont think either would ever be part of that with any partner anyway.

[quartz]

I like them, they are cute, and I think it's okay for them to be sweet. Not every dance pair needs to do the lustful/hot/dirty passion thing. There are a lot of other dance styles that I hope they explore as they mature.

[victoriaheidi]

I love the Shibs. They're sweet and adorable and I like that they're not creepy-incestuous on ice! TBTH I think their mistake was staying with Marina this season. But I doubt they'll split--I get the vibe that skating is very much a family thing for their entire family, and they're going to remain partners unless one wants to retire and the other doesn't.

BTW, slightly OT, but Alex has an amazing personality! A few seasons back, he blogged for IN, and his writing style was tons of fun. I'd love to see him doing that again!

[missysays]

BTW, slightly OT, but Alex has an amazing personality! A few seasons back, he blogged for IN, and his writing style was tons of fun. I'd love to see him doing that again!

I don't think they should split. They haven't tapped into their full potential yet. And I don't consider it OT about Alex's personality. I think they both have great personalities but there's something especially fun and attention-getting about Alex's personality that they haven't fully captured in a program yet. But when they do find the right vehicle for them it could be amazing!

I think Marina needs to put her thinking cap on to really figure out how to find a program that brings out the zany and fresh side that we see in their Shibsib youtube videos.

There's also some super hot-ness waiting to emerge in Alex especially.

Maia is also getting just really beautiful as she matures.

I don't think they'll find a better technical or artistic match in any other un-partnered skater out there in US ice dance.

[sap5]

They shouldn't split. They just need the right programs.

[Jun Y]

I wish they would leave Marina Zueva and go back to Patti Gottiwen (or go to Judy Blumberg). They were much more interesting before they went to Canton, even though Canton gave them better levels.

[RumbleFish]

They should split and swap partners with Reeds. Once couple can represent the U.S. and the other can skate for Japan.

[skateboy]

I think the Shibs have terrific skating skills together and would be hard-pressed to find that with other partners. They may very well be the team to look out for going into 2018 Olympics.

[B.Cooper]

I wish they would leave Marina Zueva and go back to Patti Gottiwen (or go to Judy Blumberg). They were much more interesting before they went to Canton, even though Canton gave them better levels.

I think the Shibs have sort of a "second tier" status with Marina, and unfortunately, with so much on Marina's plate, the creative juices just haven't been reallly tapped to allow their skating skills to really be showcased to the best of their abilities . I agree with others, just because they are siblings, doesn't mean they have to conform to "cute" but they also don't have to be pushed into something that would be awkward for them as siblings. Perhaps reaching out to a different choreographer for the concept/ music selection/editing and then working with Marina on the day to day may take their skating to a new level. Perhaps they go back and look at classic old movies or ballets or musicals, for brother / sister stories.....or go for something more abstract, or something less driven by the male/female relationship but character driven in a way that can tell a compelling story.

[arakwafan2006]

Interesting views! I am glad that I asked.

I personally think that their following the crowd and staying with Marina was not the best choice for THEM! It would have been a better decision to go work with Igor and his team. I watched Marina Klimova work with Ekaterina and Ilya on expression and interpretation of the music amongst other things and I watched the work that Barbara Fusar Poli did and it would have helped the Shibs. Not that working with Marizio and Oleg is not good but i think that addressing their issues head on would have been smart.

I was excited to hear that they were exploring a concept in the free dance with the Geisha theme however the program lacks so much by way of transitions, choreography etc. that I dont see a vast improvement. The potential is immense for these two. Alex is a powerful partner and is aware of the music in ways that cant be taught. Maia is a beautiful girl and is reliable in her partnering. I dont think that the program as is exploits their talents like it could. I am also not sure that changing partners would or wouldnt help. I was just wondering.

[Judy]

Interesting views! I am glad that I asked.

I personally think that their following the crowd and staying with Marina was not the best choice for THEM! It would have been a better decision to go work with Igor and his team. I watched Marina Klimova work with Ekaterina and Ilya on expression and interpretation of the music amongst other things and I watched the work that Barbara Fusar Poli did and it would have helped the Shibs. Not that working with Marizio and Oleg is not good but i think that addressing their issues head on would have been smart.

I was excited to hear that they were exploring a concept in the free dance with the Geisha theme however the program lacks so much by way of transitions, choreography etc. that I dont see a vast improvement. The potential is immense for these two. Alex is a powerful partner and is aware of the music in ways that cant be taught. Maia is a beautiful girl and is reliable in her partnering. I dont think that the program as is exploits their talents like it could. I am also not sure that changing partners would or wouldnt help. I was just wondering.

I thin they are a young team that are developing. We have been spoiled in the last several years at the fast development of v/m and d/w.

[arakwafan2006]

I thin they are a young team that are developing. We have been spoiled in the last several years at the fast development of v/m and d/w.

That could be as well. I suppose when I think about it, I TOTALLY expected them over the past 2 seasons to be way more advanced. It could be that everyone in the whole to 10 at worlds elevated their level significantly. There is still a lot of work to be done with this team. Hopefully they can advance. It could be that the goal is post 2014 and not now which would mean that my expectations are out of alignment.

[peibeck]

When hideous program's like I/K's free dance this season are scoring higher PCS, that should be a wake up call to the Shibs to change choreographers.

I'd love to see them work with Chris Dean, Tom Dickson, or Peter Tchernyshev.

[dancergrl]

I like them, they are cute, and I think it's okay for them to be sweet. Not every dance pair needs to do the lustful/hot/dirty passion thing. There are a lot of other dance styles that I hope they explore as they mature.

I agree that the hot/dirty passion thing doesn't need to be done all of the time, but the most successful teams have to be able to do it some of the time. The brother/sister teams don't make it to the very top, partly because they are automatically limited in range of program styles. V/M were light and entertaining several seasons in a row, but their Carmen program this year is getting them a lot of buzz and i'm sure will be their signature program.

[snoopysnake]

I love the Shibutanis. One possible inspiration source could be Fred and Adele Astaire. They might also seek Derek and Julianne Hough of DWTS for conceptual and music ideas that would be suitable for siblings.

[VIETgrlTerifa]

I really do think their FD this season has been their best FD since they turned senior.

[Sylvia]

Here was a September 2012 article about their "Memoirs of a Geisha" free dance: http://web.icenetwork.com/news/artic...&vkey=ice_news

BTW, slightly OT, but Alex has an amazing personality! A few seasons back, he blogged for IN, and his writing style was tons of fun. I'd love to see him doing that again!

In case you or anyone else missed it, the Maia and Alex jointly blogged about their D.C. State Dept. dinner experience in May 2012: http://web.icenetwork.com/news/artic...&vkey=ice_news

[arakwafan2006]

When hideous program's like I/K's free dance this season are scoring higher PCS, that should be a wake up call to the Shibs to change choreographers.

I'd love to see them work with Chris Dean, Tom Dickson, or Peter Tchernyshev.

Maybe Peter T! I think that he's such an underrated choreographer. If I were a pairs skater I would consider him. I have not seen too much of his work with mens singles. I remember him constantly outshining Naomi in the performances. It probably wouldnt be bad for some top Russian men to use him